Rebecca Hossack in Fitzrovia

A GALLERY owner in is urging the council to halt its demands for the removal of trees in Fitzrovia which officers have decided are too obstructive.

The trees – two silver birches and two bays – were placed in specially designed planters in Conway Street by Rebecca Hossack.

For many years she has worked to bring more greenery into the area by paying for trees and planting flowers and shrubs.

But last month she was told by Camden that the trees had to go, in a message that said there had been complaints that the footpaths were being blocked.

Ms Hossack, herself a former Camden councillor, said it was a single complaint and made in error.

She said: “A neighbour saw a new planter delivered that was left on the pavement. They did not know it wasn’t where it would remain, and when we put it into its spot, which does not block anyone, they said they were fine with it.”

Rebecca Hossack

Ms Hossack said the demands to get rid of the trees are made even more galling by the state of the streets in Fitzrovia.

She said: “Camden’s streets are full of clutter which should be removed. The Westminster side has trees planted every few metres, but the Camden side is cluttered with useless, ugly street furniture, black poles for one sign every few feet, and the poorly maintained barriers for the streateries during the pandemic.

“It makes this order all the more ridiculous.”

She said the demand went against the Town Hall’s own policies of planting street trees to help battle the climate crisis.

Camden Council has policy of aiming to hit net zero, improve air quality and encourage the planting of more trees.

Ms Hossack’s green fingers are not confined to the space outside her gallery. She has been responsible for other trees and shrubbery in planters and in tree pits around the area. She helps organise he annual Fitzrovia Festival – and this year’s theme is “Fitzrovia is a Forest”. The title was planned long before the council acted – and the irony isn’t lost on Ms Hossack. She said: “We have helped green Fitzrovia and would like to continue.”

In the past, she ran the New York Marathon to raise £20,000 to spend on new trees, adding that visitors to her gallery “admired the trees”.

She said: “We love people coming past, taking a seat saying hello, having a gossip. “It’s a like a community centre.”

A council spokesperson said: “We want to keep the pavements of Camden clear and accessible for pedestrians. Alongside this we do have processes in place for residents and organisations to follow to enable greening of our streets.

“Any resident or business with ideas for greening their street must secure permission from the council before proceeding to ensure our public spaces are accessible and safe. We are working with the gallery to find a practical way forward which will allow for greening of the street.”